National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Today marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We are reflecting on our history while moving forward by listening and working to aid in the healing and growth together in support of all First Nations communities. 

We acknowledge that our stores are located on many different traditional and unceded territories and we thank the people of these nations for allowing us to work, learn, inspire, and create together on their land.

We welcome you to join us in this reflection and consider the ways that we can all make positive changes within our communities for a brighter, more thoughtful way of being. Art is a powerful tool to deliver messages of hope, strength & healing.  

For those who wish to further their knowledge and work towards reconciliation personally, we invite you to discover some of the local resources dedicated to this important work.

Consider making a monetary donation directly to an organization that helps First Nations communities and raises awareness across the country of the truth about the struggles and injustices faced by First Nations, and aids in the healing that is needed, including the Orange Shirt Society and/or the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

The Orange Shirt Society is a non-profit organization with its home in Williams Lake, BC where Orange Shirt Day began in 2013. They have both Indigenous and non-Indigenous board members. The purposes of the Orange Shirt Society are to support Indian Residential School Reconciliation, to create awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Society activities, and to create awareness of the concept of “Every Child Matters”.

The Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS) strives to provide physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual growth, development, and healing through culturally-based values and guiding principles for Survivors, Families, and Communities.

Their mission is to assist First Nation Peoples in British Columbia to recognize and be holistically empowered from the primary and generational effect of the Residential Schools by supporting research, education, awareness, partnerships, and advocating for justice and healing. The Society assists Survivors with counselling, court support, information, referrals, workshops, and more.

Education about Truth and Reconciliation is also available through organizations such as the Indigenous Relations Academy.